Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 164 – Justice for none.
Lieutenant Vacus's POV, Later that night.
"Lieutenant!"
Stopping in my tracks, I turned to spot Captain Freemen on the approach. Rifle in her hands as she asked still keeping her commanding voice intact.
"Where is Lieutenant Incus?"
Letting myself take a moment to breathe as she soon stopped in front of me. I replied while lowering my gun to my hip.
"With Jess and alpha team. Their off helping charlie and echo 2-7 secure upper Holland. Riots were the thickest over there they said. Why? What's wrong?"
Keeping direct with me Freemen replied.
"I need you to come with me uptown. Captain Marhick requested support near the national gallery."
"Problem?" I wondered as she nodded and replied.
"We have a few civilians trying to break into the gallery. Marhick and his men were ordered to take the block and secure the building. But when they tried to get a perimeter in place; a small group of armed men opened fire at Marhick and his men were forced to take shelter. Currently the shooters have control of the main building and Marhick is trying to talk them down from doing any damage."
"Aren't the orders we were given to return fire on anyone that presents a threat Captain?"
Freemen nodded and replied.
"Between you and me Lieutenant, Marhick isn't going to shoot anyone."
"What are you talking about?" I questioned as we regrouped with Bravo and began the drive over to the gallery.
"Commander Archer was very stern with the Captain when we reported in for orders earlier today. I know Marhick and I know when he will go against his superiors. And when it comes to being ordered to kill the people he promised to protect, you can bet he won't pull the trigger unless he has too."
"So what's the plan then? Provide cover while he tries to quill a mob of angry gun totting patriots who are pissed to all hell Commander Voltz resigned? And about that shit Freemen have you heard anything? I just talked to the man yesterday and he...?" I went silent. I tried to recall all that happened when he was talking to me. All that really stood out was when he asked me if I was a capable leader. But what the hell did that have to do with all this? I asked myself as Freemen replied.
"I only know as much as you. Dom went looking for him after he stormed off the stage but was unable to find him. Mason and Archer don't even know yet. That or they might not care. Can't imagine after listening to Archer that he has intentions on dealing with Voltz when the whole city is a shit show. All I can tell you for sure though Lieutenant is that the situation isn't good. More and more people are causing problems by the second. That's why we are acting on marshal law right now. And as much as I love Marhick, I can't disagree with Archer and Mason. Right now force is what we need to show if people are going to calm down. No matter what Vacus we need to make sure no more soldiers get killed. Including yourself. Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am." I replied as she reached up to slick her hair back.
"Good. Cause I need you right now. This is a fucking mess."
"Plan Captain?" I asked again as she nodded and replied.
"Marhick gets a few more minutes to try and talk them down. If they refuse to listen we move in. Bravo team will be with us."
"Okay." I said with a sigh as I looked out the window. Every building was on lock. Not a single person on the streets but soldiers as we drove. This was crazy. I was scared to think what would happen after all this blew over. With my rifle in my hands, I looked to the frame and just contemplated what Raptor told me. I knew there had to be a meaning. But maybe I was blind as to what it was. Maybe I was never to understand.
Marhick's POV.
"Just come out with me please! None of you will be harmed!" I stated from behind the safety of my truck as the shooters were manning the front doors. I could see two kids. They were probably in their twenties but each with rebellion rifles. I knew what that meant. They weren't soldiers. Which means they killed to get those guns. As a leader I should just order the attack, but I didn't want it to get to that point. These kids were fucking up their lives. I can stop them from doing that further. They just need to listen.
"You think we care if we get hurt!?"
"I think you care if you die!" I replied as two of my men who were crouched along my side both had their guns pointed at the kids. With another truck pulling up behind me I got back from the shooters.
"Fuck you man! You don't understand!"
"Understand!? Your shooting your own people and for what!? Commander Voltz didn't want this reaction from you! We both know that!"
"Commander Voltz wanted peace! Not this! Rebellion soldiers forcing people into their homes and controlling their lives isn't that! That motherfucker who told him to step down is the real enemy! He ruined more then just this city by getting him to step down!"
I was running out of things to say when I looked back to see Captain Freemen and Lieutenant Vacus jogging over to my position.
"We're staying here! You can't force us away from our beliefs! Try and move from that truck and we'll open fire!" Stated the shooter as I heard from Freemen.
"Just stand down and we'll...!?"
It was so sudden. Everyone including myself had to duck as rounds from one of the shooters came right at our truck. The glass shattered over our backs as Vacus shouted.
"God damn it!"
"Stand down!" I ordered the kids as he must have emptied at least half the mag at us for no reason.
"Stay back then! That's an order!" He replied as I looked to Vacus to ask.
"You good?"
"Yeah." She replied as she shook the glass off her head and shoulders.
Nodding my head I looked back to Freemen to beg.
"Just give me a few more minutes and I'll have them."
Freemen wasn't about to take my shit and I knew it. Not after that.
"They just opened fire on us Marhick. These kids are beyond reachable."
I was caught on what to say next. I had no idea they would do that just now. But they were just upset. This doesn't have to be a slaughter. I told myself as Freemen stated with force.
"Bravo team is making their way in through the back of the building. When they get inside we need to draw fire and get their focus on us. When they start shooting back my women are pushing into the main lobby and neutralizing these guys Marhick. No questions asked. We can't afford to lose anyone over these guys."
"But I can...?!"
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Everyone had to hit the dirt again when the shooters decided to open fire once more. I could feel the bullets hitting the truck as Freemen went on comm to ask.
"Where are you guys!?"
Vacus was tucked right into my side as the bullets kept coming. Looking to the cat I ordered.
"Keep your fucking head down Lieutenant!"
With Freemen looking to my two men who hid behind the truck she ordered.
"Return fire! Just suppress them till Bravo team gets in place!"
Without another word my men obeyed and I looked back as the shooters ducked when incoming rounds began to paint the area around them. From the stone walls to the glass windows; the building was getting hammered. Lieutenant Vacus quickly readied herself for a firing position and when my two men had to reload she laid on the cover fire. The shooters kept down as I began to look around the general area. My eyes widened when I caught a man coming out from an alley maybe forty meters down our left flank. With all attention on the building; I felt my heart skip when the man pulled up a small pump action shotgun from behind his back. With my hands going for my rifle ;I shouted at the man who brought up the weapon.
"Don't do it...!?"
The second the words left my mouth the man sent a shot right at the truck. Everyone was still focused on the shooters when suddenly the pellets slammed right into Vacus and I. The pellets thankfully smacked my vest, and while falling back into the car door I raised my rifle finally along with Freemen and my men who instantly spun back from the attack. All of us opened fire at the guy and I couldn't tell you how quick he got dropped and the shooters took their chance to try and gun us again. Freemen ducked right back down as I continued to stare at the body that laid on the sidewalk only feet away.
"Ughhhkk!" Hearing a heavy gag, I panicked and looked to my left to see Vacus down on her knees. Her hands on her neck as blood pooled out from her fingers and down her vest and chest. Tumbling into the backdoor I shouted.
"Vacus!"
Freemen flicked her head to the side the second I dropped my rifle to go to her aid. Not a second after she was right by my side ordering Vacus who was slowly laying on her side from the blood loss she was feeling.
"Hold it! Hold it!"
Going for her first aid kit Freemen got a rag and quickly moved in between Vacus's hands to grab the wound.
"Medic!" She shouted as I looked back the other way to see one of my men further down the street at another humvee we had covering the gallery.
"Lay down fire for him! Get over here!" I ordered the men as return fire got sent back as the medic ran in the open. As he neared us, I widened my eyes as a bullet went right through his left leg. Instantly the kid rolled into our position so shout.
"Fuck! God damn it!"
Pulling him by the vest, I got the medic to my side to ask.
"Lieutenant Vacus is critical! Can you move!?"
Nodding as blood could be seen rolling along his leg he replied.
"I can move! Let me see her!"
Crawling over to Captain Freemen who still had her hands on the Lieutenant's neck he ordered.
"Give me some room!"
Freemen immediately let the guy take control as I was soon confronted by the hedgehog herself who shouted.
"Look what your doing Marhick! People are getting hurt!"
With our eyes locked she shouted.
"You can't save these kids! You can't! You hear me!?"
I didn't know what else to do. Vacus getting shot was my own fault. I could have prevented that if I just...?
"Do you hear me Captain!?"
Nodding my head I replied.
"Yeah!"
With Freemen's glare at me a wild one, I widened my eyes as we heard gunfire from inside the gallery. With all of us looking up to see the shooters run out the front doors from bravo team's surprise attack, I raised my rifle and ordered.
"Open fire! Open fire!"
It was a slaughter. Those two kids who I was talking to came out first and three others behind them. All armed and caught in a crossfire as myself and everyone on the street opened up.
In seconds blood was painting the ground and a small pair of steps leading into the gallery itself. Bodies lined the entrance and bravo team could be seen making their way over to check the dead. I widening my eyes when Freemen ordered.
"Confirm the kills! Make sure their dead!"
I watched from there in disbelief as the women placed rounds in each body's head. Once they were done the focus was on Lieutenant Vacus who was at this point motionless. I widened my eyes when I saw her eyes were wide open but not moving. Not even blinking as the medic was busy tending to the spot where the pellets must have hit her neck. Freemen who immediately saw and thought what I had thought; asked in fear as she got down right next to the cat's side.
"Is she dead!?"
"She passed out! Blood loss is really bad! She got hit in her trachea I think! Which is bad cause I need to get in there if I want to get any fragments that are lodged in there out! And I don't have the equipment to handle this right here! We need to move her now if she wants a chance Captain!"
"Go!" I urged him as Freemen and my men quickly took over and began to get her loaded into the truck we were on.
With Freemen coming to my side as it was clear this was out of hand she ordered.
"You go with her! I'll clean up here and meet you back at the capital within the hour!"
"What about Incus?!" I had to ask as she quickly replied.
"Don't say a fucking word till we know something!"
"Okay! Got it!" I replied with nothing but stress being placed on my mind as I got in the driver's seat of the truck. Shutting my door, I looked out as Freemen muttered to me.
"You can't save everyone. Not now."
With our eyes locked I watched as she made her way to the gallery. Hitting the gas after a moment, I began to drive us right to the capital. My eyes glanced back to see Vacus laying there motionless. If she died that would be on me. No one else. This was already on me however. I'm so sorry.
Archer's POV.
"Son of a bitch!" I shouted as I walked into the capital to see Mason up the office stairs with some soldiers. His eyes widened as he saw me walk in and he began a quick approach going down the stairs to meet me head on as I reached up to my face with my right hand. My left still holding a rifle as I gently wiped the blood off a cut I got during the night. Mason saw the blood and asked.
"You hurt?"
"No!" I replied in anger as he then asked.
"How's the situation out there? I have reports all across the city telling me we've ether lost someone else to this madness. Or I have more innocents getting hurt by the riots and the shear number of people who are standing up to fight us on the streets."
Wiping the blood on my vest, I replied while still heavily involved with my anger from this fucking nightmare.
"It's a fucking mess! I've had to kill more people tonight, then G.U.N soldiers I've killed since this all started Mason! People are dead! My city is lined with bodies and their not even the enemy! It's a god damn...well...a god damn rebellion! We've just finished securing the last few blocks! We'll have everything under control within a few hours if things go well! But god damn it this isn't what we should be doing! Ever!" I screamed as some of the men around the lobby began to stare at us. Mason caught the eyes and urged.
"Just relax for a second Archer. Please."
Taking most of what I had left to keep controlled. I allowed myself a few seconds to just breathe. Mason smiled as I went on to state.
"This is a fucking mess. Has there been any news on Raptor yet?"
Shaking his head Mason replied.
"Not a peep. And I tried to talk to some of his friends while you were out there. Guess what? I got the same answer."
"Which was?" I wondered as he gave me a roll of his eyes to reply.
"They don't know anything. The doctor seems legit in not knowing but the others like Captain Pierce just seem like their following orders. Orders not to say a damn thing to us. Orders from who? We know who Archer." Stated Mason as I nodded and wondered.
"We still don't know anything. Did he take his phone with him you think?"
Nodding Mason replied.
"I checked his room earlier and I found nothing. I assume he took it all when he left in that bag he brought on stage."
Taking a second to think, I soon said while looking around the area.
"I'm going to give him a call here in a few minutes. God willing he will answer and we can just talk."
"You really think you can talk to him calmly after tonight Archer?" Questioned Mason as I gave it some thought.
"He caused this. Got me shot and labeled as an enemy of the state and ran away from here before anyone could question him. He's turned the country upside down by calling me out as the reason who forced him to resign. The world wants me dead and why? He's hiding something and now it's gotten people killed and it could get me killed! Rebellion and the people we promised to protect. He's got us killing each other and Linnen giggling in his bed. It's a civil war and it's one we can't afford. Archer no matter what the reason is this can't be overlooked. Not even for him."
I had no argument for the man. I understood everything he was telling me. Just nodding my head I soon replied.
"I know. But if he picks up I want answers. I won't get any going at his neck over the phone. I'll save all the anger for the next time we meet. If I don't die from this bullshit first."
With Mason just going silent to my response I asked.
"You want to go up?"
Nodding he replied.
"Yeah, come on then. The rest of you keep me updated when reports come through. I want to know when this city is under control. After that we can proceed to the next phase. Understood? Get to work." He ordered as focused changed and we were left to go up to the second floor. Once in the office he got the door and wondered.
"Drink?"
All I felt was stress right now. This was nothing but a second war like Mason said we were fighting. And not only that but I had reports that Iraq was going through the same thing. Hoffer had things under control thankfully with the men, but it still was a problem. A huge fucking problem. My biggest fear was what would happen tomorrow. The news was going to tear us apart. Plenty of cameras watching us gun down people who might not even be armed. Plenty of forced arrests and excessive force charges to come I'm sure. We were the government, but that would mean nothing if tomorrow our own people decided to leave or continue fighting to the death. We'd just be targets. With Mason handing me a whiskey glass he urged.
"Take a minute to relax Archer."
Pulling out my phone, I replied while taking a sip.
"I'm doing this now. Please do me a favor Mason and don't get involved if he answers. This is for both of us. We want answers. Hopefully he'll grant us some before we have to...?" Mason and I locked eyes as I finished.
"Before we have to cross some lines."
mT Shadow.